• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

June 16, 2016

Five Ways to Add Summer Style to Your Home

You have no idea how badly I wanted to give this blog post a different title. In my mind, it really should be called, “Stick a bunch of seashells in bowls around your house and call it good!”. But, I was afraid that it didn’t sound quite blog-title-ish enough. So I went for the more ‘professional’ route instead and today I’m going to be sharing with you some of the most easy-peasy ways to add summer style to your home.

Five ways to add summer style to your home atthepicketfence.com

1. Seashells, lots and lots of seashells

Perhaps the easiest way ever to welcome summer to your home is with the addition of seashells.

Simple summer decor with seashells

Over the years, I have found that I do myself a huge favor by simply changing up existing decor seasonally. This vintage scale had a nest on top of it in the spring and now it holds a white bowl filled with seashells.

Vintage inspired summer style

 And this reproduction balance scale received a similar treatment. Seriously friends this all only takes minutes!

seashells on vintage balance scale

2. Nautical Touches

Summer decor doesn’t necessarily have to be overt and obvious. Decorative pieces that have rope trim are always a great way to add a little nod to the nautical.

metal lantern in a wire basket as easy summer decor

A blue and white ticking stripe pillow behind my toile pillows gives the sofa a fresh look.

Bosporus toile and ticking stripe pillows atthepicketfence.com

And, of course, it’s always ok to go for the obvious if you want. 😉

wooden sailboat on mantel

3. The Colors of the Sea

It’s been said that every room should have a touch of black somewhere in it. Well, I think that in the summertime every room should have a touch of the colors of the sea.

It can be as simple as blue napkins tucked under a stack of bowls…with seashells in them of course.

Stacked bowls with seashells

Or vintage books in colors reminiscent of the water placed on a summer mantel.

seashell and vintage books

4. Fresh Flowers

I know what you’re thinking. Duh, right? Of course fresh flowers are an essential component of summer decorating!

Vintage inspired summer decorating idea

But, I’ve had it confirmed to me this summer just how important it is to be strategic in your landscaping. Think about which blooms will go with the color palette in your home and plant accordingly.

hydrangeas in wicker vase holder

And if all else fails, hit up your local farmer’s market! Because this season of having fresh flowers available and affordable goes by way too quickly.

lisianthus flower arrangement

 5. Citrus

Summer and citrus go hand in hand.

lavender topiaries on dining table

And whether you use the real thing or the ‘faux’ thing, adding pops of bright color here and there is a great way to welcome summer to your home.

farmhouse style shelf decor

Now, I realize that none of this is really rocket science. I won’t ever claim to have the latest and greatest of home design to show you.

My hope is that it will just be that gentle reminder that it takes so little time and energy to add simple summer touches throughout your home which is really how it should be.

Because we should be out enjoying it, right? Not spending time decorating for it.

So get out and enjoy it sweet friends…and maybe bring a little bit of it back inside with you.

I’m so glad you could meet me at the Fence today,

Vanessa signature

7 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Good Ideas, Summer Tagged With: budget decorating, decorating, summer, summer decorating

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « The Cracked Crock
Next Post: An Antique Table and Chair for My Girl »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    June 18, 2016 at 6:59 AM

    Just beautiful Vanessa! You are spot on and your home is stunning this summer! It really reflex the beauty within you! LOVE you!

    Reply
  2. Julie says

    June 18, 2016 at 8:05 AM

    Gorgeous summer inspiration! I forget about using shells, so that’s actually a great tip! 🙂 Thank you, ~julie

    Reply
  3. Gwen says

    June 18, 2016 at 3:28 PM

    I was going to skip right over this. I’m glad I did not. I’ve got oodles of sea shells. We don’t live far from one beach with great shells. I have a clear ocean roar looking square bowl that looked just like a famous artist I’d eye every time I went to an upscale shopping experience across from this world famous hospital id go to weekly. My gift? To look at these world famous designers of glass and I think it was not perfect so they sell to Ross or TJMaxx. I’m getting that out to put some shells in as it will go with my bottles. Time to get out my galvanized tray from magnolia market!! Add my lantern and a bit of rope!!! Hmmm do I have that Bobbsey Twins book?? Ohhh my creative juices are flowing. Birds away. Get out a few driftwood logs. I’ll search now for something to show off layers of black sand from one favorite beach and regular sand from another!!!
    It shall be. But first I’ve got some Bible reading to do and praying. My husband just has not felt well at all for so long. Not an easy path for him. Plus he takes care of me. I’m handicapped. God sees. God knows. God loves.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 20, 2016 at 7:23 AM

      I’m so sorry that your husband is dealing with health issues Gwen! Praying for both of you and I so appreciate you stopping by. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Julie says

    June 19, 2016 at 1:53 PM

    What an inspiring post! Sometimes the simplest things are the best. When things are too complicated I tend to glance over it. But, when things are simple and easy, I think I could do that. I just put out a few shells in my family room. I tend to use the shells only in my outdoor decor. Why not bring it in! I have really been enjoying your blog. I like your decor posts and your thought filled ones as well. You have a gift for sharing your thoughts. Keep up the good work!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 20, 2016 at 7:23 AM

      Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words Julie! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Emmie says

    June 2, 2018 at 2:42 PM

    What is the source for the Lord ‘s prayer ?

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Julie Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Take the Quiz

Stay updated!

Get all the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Must Reads

Recent Posts

  • Painted Staircase Handrail Makeover March 4, 2021
  • A New French Country Dining Table February 3, 2021
  • Open Now December 17, 2020
  • Tradition and a Christmas Home Tour December 9, 2020
  • Tabletop Hot Cocoa Station November 29, 2020

Get all the latest straight to your inbox

Footer

Instagram

I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 y I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 years now and every year I ohhhh and ahhhh over the blossoms like it's the first time I've ever seen them. I gush and I take photos (that look exactly like the ones I took the year before and the year before that) and I make my family come outside and look at them with me which you know they just LOVE to do. 😉 I think that is one of the main reasons why I love spring so much. On the one hand, it's predictable and yet, on the other hand, it still feels like such a surprise after the long months of barren branches.

And yesterday, as I was staring at the gorgeous blossoms for the umpteenth time, I couldn't help but think that I hope this is how I feel when our lives return to some semblance of normalcy.

I hope that the predictable feels special and that the typical feels anything but. I hope that I ohhh and ahhh over the simple things I've realized I've taken for granted. And, most of all, I hope that feeling doesn't go away for a very, very long time! 💗
Are you living with great expectation friends? Bec Are you living with great expectation friends? Because He is risen!

Happy Easter from my home to yours!
Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to be a different kind of Easter for sure but some things don’t change. Have you been baking and getting ready for tomorrow? What’s one thing on your menu that you have to have every year?
If this is Good Friday, why doesn’t it feel so “good”? It all seems backward doesn’t it?

What could be good about the unspeakable pain he suffered? What could be good about the shame and betrayal?

Easter Sunday is so joyful, bright and cheery. Shouldn’t that be the day we call “good”? It just feels so much better!

But, I don’t know how to rejoice over His resurrection, unless I have felt the pain of His death. I have realized that in life the sweetest victories are the ones which were realized after a pain-filled journey.

And, so it is with Good Friday. I know there will be victory over death, but I can’t skip ahead in the story.

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew what he would experience. And he knew why he would go through it. He did it for me. He did it for you.

Do you know that? Have you felt it down in the very core of your soul? 
Sometimes it makes me squirm a bit. Why would anyone do that for me?

Well, because, I can’t do it for myself!

There is nothing I can do to earn that kind of love and mercy.

That is why it is called GRACE.

His grace is freely given. We don’t have to pay for it. He paid the price for us already.

Do you remember that movie from years ago called “Ransom”? A couple’s young son was kidnapped and the parents went to hell and back trying to find him and pay the “ransom” demanded by the kidnappers.

Well, Jesus is our “ransom”. (1 Timothy 2:6) His life was the payment.

Why is it called “Good Friday”? Because that wasn’t the end of the story….
.
…It was just the beginning!
Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house that’s become the landing zone for ALL THE THINGS! 🙋🏻‍♀️🤪 I’ve never been more thankful for our rarely used dining room table as it’s become command central for school books and laptops and games.

Where are things collecting in your house right now?
“Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every si “Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every single one of these emotions has made their way through our home in recent days and, my guess is, they have in your home too.

I SO needed this reminder today from the new book ‘Adore’ by @sarahagertywrites.

Adoration isn’t just sitting at His feet gazing longingly with stars in my eyes. It’s bringing my fears and my sorrows and gray roots in my hair that desperately needs to be colored and my messy house and all of the things that threaten to send me over the edge right now and laying them down before Him, soaking up His word and His presence so that when I stand back up, I am changed for having spent the time adoring the ONE who is... Healer, comforter, peace-giver, deliverer, redeemer.

What do you need to bring to Him today? I’ll share mine in the comments and I’d love to hear from you too!
I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole lockdown thing began, I’ve come to appreciate this time of day even more.

It feels the most...normal. Daytime is strange and foreign right now. My husband has taken over our home office, I’m suddenly taking over the responsibility of managing my kids’ distance learning and let me just say that teaching 7th grade algebra to my daughter is hugely ironic since I struggled with math all the way through school. I’m trying to do my own work but it feels utterly futile with the constant interruptions which take precedence right now. In the daytime, I’m constantly reminded of how upside down life feels.

But, in the evening, I cook dinner like I’ve always done and we gather around the table like we’ve always done and we laugh and tell stories and then clean up and play games or go on a walk or watch a show. And that feels SO gloriously normal.

So now I love evenings even more than I ever did before and I’m so grateful for this little chunk of time where the rhythms we established years ago are helping to sustain us now when so much of life feels outside of our control.

What feels ‘normal’ to you right now? Whatever it is, keep doing it. 🌿
When I was in college I would frequently call home When I was in college I would frequently call home and pour my heart out to my mom, sharing with her all that was happening in my life in that completely unfiltered way that you can talk with the person who potty trained you. These phone calls usually took place at night and my mom would patiently listen as I vented frustrations about professors, roommates, boyfriends and the food in the cafeteria. And, inevitably, they would end with my mom saying, “Everything seems worse when you’re tired. Try not to overthink things or make any major decisions tonight, especially when you are feeling emotional.” Dear friends, may I pass along this advice to you today?

If you don’t absolutely HAVE to make a decision right now, I want to encourage you to wait until life gets back to normal. If you are finding yourself over-analyzing relationships and family dynamics, I want to encourage you to remember that everything seems more dramatic when looked at under a microscope. And, let’s face it, being homebound with our loved ones non-stop makes us all feel like lab rats in an experiment.

If you are tempted to quit a job, start a business, start homeschooling permanently, stop homeschooling permanently, move to a new city, buy a farm, quit pursuing your dream, join a commune or make any other major life decision just…wait. Because, if it is in fact the right decision, it will be made even clearer once our lives return to their ‘regularly scheduled programming’. Instead, in this strange season, let’s all just take a deep, collective breath and let it out slowly, releasing the anxiety that threatens to overtake us. Let’s help each other maintain some perspective and not slip into a posture of over-thinking every little thing in our lives. Let’s remember that the enemy of our souls would love nothing more than to use this time when things feel dark to manipulate us into thinking that aspects of our lives are worse than they actually are.

My prayer for you in these days is that you will have the clarity to know what is true and that you will be filled with peace even while we live in this season of so many unknowns.
Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking thes Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking these days! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I’m trying to avoid gaining the #corona15 but my daughter and I LOVE baking together and it does help to pass the time plus it counts as a science lesson right?

If you’re able to find flour in the stores (for the love people please stop overbuying!) and you’re doing more baking at your house too you need to add this apricot bread to your list of new recipes to try!

Normally I’d point you to my blog for the directions but I’m going to do you a solid and leave the full recipe in the comments.

What have you baked so far during this time of social distancing? I’d love some new ideas!
There are a LOT of people out walking in our neigh There are a LOT of people out walking in our neighborhood right now (but still social distancing!) and she decided that she wanted to bring them some joy and put a smile on their face when they pass by our house. Also, the square with ‘say no to coronavirus’ is priceless. 😂 I just love her so much!
Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 At The Picket Fence